CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In observance of Transit Equity Day, Charlotte leaders spoke about the need for transit funding on Friday during a news conference.
Sustain Charlotte hosted the conference at 9 a.m. on February 4th to call for more investment in equitable transit service.
Transit Equity Day, celebrated annually on Rosa Parks’ birthday, brings light to the importance of accessible public transportation as a civil right and a strategy to combat climate change.
During the news conference, speakers discussed ways in which public transit investment can held us build a more just and sustainable economy as well as a healthy environment and climate.
“There is a cost involved to invest in a robust and efficient public transportation system, but there is a bigger cost to the community of not investing in one,” said Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt.
“Whether you use public transit or not, our success in that area will positively impact everyone in this city,” said Mayor Vi Lyles.
Two speakers on Friday also addressed the mobility needs of transit riders.
Reverend Janet Garner-Mullins said, “We have wide gaps in equitable access preventing transit’s ability to serve as a stairstep to opportunity.”
Brian Williams shared his many challenges as a transit rider navigating the current CATS bus system to get to work.
Williams said “Due to the loss of many cross-town routes and limited hours of service past 10 p.m., it’s really hard for people like myself to get around.”
Sustain Charlotte’s Founder and Executive Director Shannon Binns said, “We have to invest in robust public transit, including our public transit workforce if we want to build an economically resilient, environmentally sustainable, and racially equitable city, county, and region.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seDmkPVcoww
